Thermochromic structure for solar and thermal radiation regulation

A solar and thermal regulating window structure comprising:

• an optically-transparent housing frame;
• a reversible liquid absorbent material layer positioned in the optically-transparent housing frame, the reversible liquid absorbent material layer being capable of reversibly absorbing and releasing a liquid based on ambient temperature;
• a thermally-reflective layer positioned over the reversible liquid absorbent material layer, wherein the thermally-reflective layer is permeable metallic nanowire mesh having high solar transmittance and high thermal reflectance;
• a liquid, wherein below a selected transition temperature, the liquid is absorbed in the reversible liquid absorbent material layer and above the selected transition temperature, the liquid is positioned over the reversible liquid absorbent material layer and the thermally-reflective layer such that it blocks the thermally-reflective layer from reflecting indoor heat, such that when ambient temperature is below the selected transition temperature, the window structure facilitates indoor solar heating through solar transmittance during daytime and facilitates indoor heat insulation through thermal reflectance during daytime and nighttime and when ambient temperature is above the selected transition temperature, the window structure facilitates indoor heat dissipation through thermal emission;
• wherein the selected transition temperature is in the range of approximately 20° C. to 50° C.;
• an optical film with high transmittance for both solar and thermal radiation, wherein the optical film is bonded to the housing frame to seal the reversible liquid absorbent material layer, liquid, and thermally-reflective layer in the optically-transparent housing frame.